Leaving the Netherlands

You need to notify the municipality that you will be relocating to another country if you are planning to stay abroad for more than 8 months out of the next 12 months. This does not have to be a continuous period. You must notify the municipality no earlier than 5 days in advance and no later than the day of your departure.

On deregistration, the BRP informs other government bodies like the IND and the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) about your new address abroad. If you do not deregister, you will still be charged for taxes and other expenses. You must return your residence permit to the IND before you leave the Netherlands. You can return your residence permit to the IND at any IND desk or by post. Check the IND website for more details.

Once deregistered from the BRP as a resident, your personal data will move to the non-residents part of the BRP, the Non-residents Records Database (Registratie Niet-ingezetenen - RNI). You should keep your RNI record up to date, in order to finalize your taxes or to qualify for potential pension income in the future.

Have you already moved abroad?

You must inform the municipality as soon as possible! In that case, the day of which your notification has been received will count as your relocation date. Submitting in the past is not possible.

Notify your municipality

Leiden Municipality (in English) - by letter or appointment

Leiderdorp Municipality (in Dutch) - by appointment

Voorschoten Municipality (in Dutch) - online with DigiD

Zoeterwoude Municipality (in Dutch) - by appointment

Proof of deregistration

When you move abroad, you will sometimes have to show proof of deregistration from the Netherlands. Please check with the agency that requires the proof to confirm the specific type of document it requires.

If you come to submit your notice of emigration at the municipality office (on the day of departure or no more than 5 days in advance), you'll receive a written confirmation of “pre-departure declaration”. This document will satisfy customs requirements.
If you come to the municipality office on the day of your departure, you can receive an extract that includes information about your departure. This document also satisfies customs requirements.
If you would like proof of your emigration from the Netherlands after departure, you will need to request an extract from the Non-residents Records Database. This document will be suitable for customs and foreign authorities.

The M Form - Tax Return

The M Form (Migration Form) is the tax form you must complete the year you move to or from the Netherlands.
The purpose of this form is to declare that you did not live in the Netherlands the whole year.
It is likely you will receive a tax refund.

More information about the M Form

Once you leave the country, you will still have to deal with the Dutch bureaucracy and administration. A DigID makes this easier, especially if you are abroad. Remember that your DigID will stay active for 3 years since your last use.

If you are changing your telephone number when you move you need to register the Digid under your new number. It is also easier to set up a Digid before you deregister from the Municipality than in your new country.

Once you leave the Netherlands, you will no longer be able to make use of its healthcare system. Therefore, make sure to take the following steps

Deregister from your GP

Cancel your healthcare insurance – unless your situation allows you to remain covered under the Dutch healthcare system

Cancel your healthcare related government benefits

Collect all your medical documents

In some instances you maybe still entitled to Dutch benefits, such as housing, rental, childcare or child benefit. Check whether this is the case, and if not, inform the relevant department that you are leaving the country.

If you have worked in the Netherlands, it’s important that you don’t lose the pension benefits you have accrued during these years. Talk to an expert to discuss the possible options:

Transfer the accrued pension to another pension institution in the new country where you are employed

Keep paying voluntary contributions to the Dutch state pension

If you own a vehicle registered in the Netherlands and are planning to move abroad, you want to deregister the vehicle. You have three options

1. Sell your car before you leave and ensure all the paperwork is in order and in the name of the new owner.

2. Take your car to your new country – check what to do via the RDW

3. Leave your vehicle behind and take your vehicle off the road for a long period of time.

if you choose to leave it behind, for a short period of time then you can suspend your registration for up to 3 years – see how here

There are several options to choose from:

Close it and transfer your balance to another account

If your bank operates internationally, manage your account from a different local branch. Reach out to your bank if you want to proceed this way and remember to communicate with them your new address.

Keep your account open for a limited period. This is useful to tie up your Dutch taxes after you have left. Most banks will allow you to do so, but you must communicate your change of address to the bank. Keep in mind that some restrictions might be applied to your account and credit cards.

In case you have an insurance policy with your bank you may wish to keep it going. If not, be sure to cancel the policy before leaving.

If you are moving internationally you may want to reduce the amount of possessions you bring with you to your new home. Here are some options:

1. Try and sell some of your possessions on online websites such as facebook marketplace or the Dutch online website Marktplaats or for clothing, Vinted.

2. Bring any things you don’t sell to a second hand shop or the municipality Kringloop shop

3. Book an appointment to bring unwanted items to the Municipality recycling centre next to the Kringloop shop.

4. Finally, the Municipality of Leiden offers a service to collect your big furniture and other bulky waste and bring it to the recycling centre.

A number of both international and Dutch people leave the Netherlands but eventually decide to return. The process of returning is a little different than arriving in the Netherlands for the first time, so it's important to make sure you know what you need to do differently this time around. If you would like to learn more about what to take into account when you return to the Netherlands, take a look at our article on this topic below.

Change of Address
Change of Address
Official Procedures
Official Procedures
Relocation Partners
Relocation Partners

Leaving the Netherlands

Are you leaving the Netherlands? Learn what to do when you leave the country.

Have you already moved abroad?

Notify your municipality

Proof of deregistration

The M Form - Tax Return